Celtics tackle a new sport

Even when they’re goofing around, the Boston Celtics play hard.
That was evident Thursday afternoon after their third day of training camp at Salve Regina University. A few of the players got their hands on a football and began throwing it back and forth across the gym at the Rodgers Recreation Center.
Soon, Ray Allen was playing quarterback, trying to hit point guard Sam Cassell on a deep route. The two never were able to connect, mostly because of the play of shut-down cornerback/point guard Rajon Rondo.
“Rajon’s 22, I’m 38. He’s faster,” Cassell said.
When asked if he’d be the better football player were it not for the age difference, Cassell exclaimed, “Hell yeah.”
He then said of Rondo, “He’s a good athlete. Look at those arms.”
Allen, though, said age had nothing to do with Rondo’s superior football ability.
“Sam never really could jump,” Allen said. “Sam wasn’t an athlete, Rajon’s an athlete.”
One of Allen’s throws was just beyond Cassell’s reach, but the 15-year veteran slowed up as he approached the wall. At that point, Kevin Garnett, sitting nearby, yelled, “You gotta dive for that!”
Later, Garnett stood up and played catch with Rondo. While Rondo fired tight-spiraling bullets at Garnett, the 6-foot-11 forward lobbed a couple of wobblers before sitting back down.